Dear Resident Reverend,

This is slightly complicated so bear with me!

My partner and I wish to get married in Dorset but now live in Belfast, Northern Ireland (where my fiance is from).

My parents now live in Dorset but not in the parish where we would ideally like to marry... Although I never lived there on a permanent basis I spent every summer in the area as a child and have had many happy times there since - it's where I always dreamed of getting married.

Would we be able to apply for a special license on this basis? As we are so far away, it's not practical for us to attend the church even once a month (but I do visit my parents about 3 times a year and would be happy to attend services then).

If not, is there any other way round this? Could we ask for a blessing ceremony at another venue (and sort out the civil/legal side separately) or do the same residence rules apply? Would it be easier to get married in the parish where my parents live? Does it make a difference if we attend church regularly in our home parish? It's really important to us both to get married before God, in Church although we don't really attend church that regularly at the moment...

Finally, my partner is Roman Catholic (I am C of E) - is there any difference in how we could arrange this through the Catholic church, or would the situation be similar?

Thanks so much for any advice you can give.

Kind regards

Louise